Scope on the Skies: April's planetary line up

Journal Article | March 2002

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. Sit back and enjoy the month of April as the five brightest planets are arranged over the western horizon at sunset.

Safer Science: Math Classes and Study Halls in Science Labs?

Journal Article | February 2011

These days, science labs are often assigned to nonscience employees and classes at least one period a school day. Is this a prudent decision safety-wise? Is it legal? This month's column presents three scenarios and…

Idea Bank: Warming to Global Warming—Sunspots and Sea-Surface Temperature

Journal Article | March 2008

In the problem-based laboratory activity described here, students evaluate the causality of changes on the solar surface in regard to climate change and warming in Earth’s environment. They use graphing calculators and…

Science 101: What is a fossil?

Journal Article | January 2003

A fossil is a preserved trace of an organism or event. There are many types of fossils. Usually these are preserved in sedimentary rocks—like sandstone, limestone, and shale—laid down on the surface of the planet or…

Progressive Questioning: Improving Students' Critical-Thinking, Logic, and Problem-Solving Skills

Journal Article | December 2004

The senior-level course Water Pollution and Purification for environmental science majors at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore requires students to use interdisciplinary knowledge, critical-thinking, logic, and…

Establishing Problem-Solving Habits in Introductory Science Courses

Journal Article | February 2006

Students crave porblem-solving strategies that promise increased achievement on tests. Student ambitions seem to align with teacher goals, yet students resist using these strategies for various reasons. This article…

Global Warming: It's Not Cool! A model for creating Multisensory Instructional Packages

Journal Article | February 1999

The author designed this Multisensory Instructional Package (MIP) to develop environmental awareness in a variety of interesting ways. All the resources in the MIP focus on the same objectives, but each resource allows…

Scope on the Skies: Drawkcab stenalp

Journal Article | January 2012

This column focuses on astronomy throughout the year. This month’s issue discusses retrograde motion and models of the solar system.

Mind Mapping: A Graphic Organizer for the Pedagogical Toolbox

Journal Article | April 2002

Mind mapping is a graphic organizer that can be used to generate ideas, take notes, develop concepts, and improve memory. In this article, the authors describe how mind mapping was introduced to a group of sixth graders…

How Do You Choose Science Trade Books?

Journal Article | February 2001

Using trade books is one strategy that has the potential to increase students’ interest and achievement in science; to enhance scientific and technological literacy; and to help open doors to exciting careers. Because…

Favorite Demonstration: An Illuminating Catalysis Demonstration

Journal Article | January 2004

The catalase demonstration presented here is a variation of a traditional experiment that is normally run to demonstrate enzyme activity in basic undergraduate biology classes. It is one of the easiest laboratory…

Favorite Demonstration: Demonstrating Inquiry-Based Teaching Competencies in the Life Sciences—Part 2

Journal Article | October 2007

This set of botany demonstrations is a continuation of the inquiry-based lecture activities that provide realistic connections to the history and nature of science and employ technology in data collection (see the…

Everyday Engineering: Should Ice Be Cubed?

Journal Article | August 2012

Everyday Engineering provides an inside look at the marvels of engineering in our everyday life. This article examines the different forms that ice cubes take and the different ways to examine them.

40 Inquiry Exercises for the College Biology Lab (e-book)

eBook | June 2009

Drawing from the author’s own work as a lab developer, coordinator, and instructor, this one-of-a-kind text for college biology teachers uses the inquiry method in presenting 40 different lab exercises that make…

A Year of Inquiry: A Collection for Elementary Educators (e-book)

eBook | October 2012

“Over the years, the Science and Children editorial team has received a significant number of manuscripts that focus on inquiry. …But no matter how many articles we publish on the topic, the interest in inquiry has not…